Overextended Warranty

Since this is the Christmas shopping season and all that, maybe you guys can help me with something: What the heck is the deal with salespeople pushing warranties?

And I mean, warranties on everything.

Computers and fancy phones, I can see. But kids' games? Even simple CD players?

Most of these items already come with manufacturers' warranties and most of them for a year at a minimum. But no, you can't leave the store unless you leave with an ever-bigger warranty, often pushed by an even bigger pain in the neck of a salesperson.

Someone told me that these sales people get a little extra if they successfully foist these warranties off on you.

I don't know.

This much I do know: It's the single most obnoxious thing I've encountered this shopping season.

Do any of you know whether there's any value at all in my taking these extended warranties? I mean, I'm thinking they're all but saying: "The item's doomed to break, buddy. Get this and protect yourself."

But my luck is the thing that goes wrong "isn't" covered.

So, am I nuts? Be careful on that one. But I could use your help. Quick. There are two salesmen waiting outside — they followed me all the way back to the studio from a Circuit City this past weekend!

Neil Cavuto serves as senior vice president, anchor and managing editor for both FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX Business Network (FBN). He is anchor of FNC's Your World with Cavuto - the number one rated cable news program for the 4 p.m. timeslot - as well as the FNC Saturday show Cavuto on Business. He also hosts Cavuto on FBN weeknights at 8 p.m. In addition to anchoring daily programs and breaking news specials on FNC and FBN, Cavuto oversees business news content for both networks and FNC's weekend business shows, including Bulls & Bears, Forbes on Fox, and Cashin' In. Click here for more on Neil Cavuto.